Up next we’re going to take a look at the band Sevendust. Now I hadn’t heard much and to be honest this is a band who I listen to kind of off and on and really, I’d say it’s kind of hard to classify them. I’m mean are they metal, alt metal, nümetal? Anyway, let’s take a look…….
Sevendust- well hearing this for the first time I must say that I was amazed. Singer Lajon Witherspoon goes from harsh lyrics to soft soothing ones. It’s a really unique way and not to mention that the back up,vocals are done by drummer Morgen Rose. The album is a great record and it’s a bunch of genres all rolled into one. It’s got hardcore, groove, rock, it’s great. I give it 9/10
Standouts: Bitch, Face, Terminator
Home- this one continues in the same vein as the previous record. It’s still got that style of harsh and clean vocals however, the hooks and groove that made the last one unique seem to not be as prevalent here. One thing that should be noted is that Chino Moreno guest vocals on the song Bender. Overall, another great, solid release which is why I give it 8.5/10
Standouts: Bender, Licking Créme, Home
Animosity- this one seems more melodic than the previous album. I mean it’s got that same Sevendust style but there seems to be less of the harsh vocals and more of Lajon’s clean singing on here. For me, it seems a little uneven. Like it starts off hard and fast but then slows down. If you are more of a fan of the cleaner vocals, then you’ll appreciate this one. I give it 7/10
Standouts: T.O.A.B., Praise, Damaged
Seasons- this one seems to go back to having more of a mix of harsh and clean vocals. It’s definitely faster and not quite as melodic as Animosity. This for me was the first album that I had heard from these guys and I think it’s a good start for anyone looking to get into this band. The songs on here seem more focused and the band itself seems tighter. This is also the last album to feature original guitarist Clint Lowery. I give this one 9.5/10
Standouts: Disease, Enemy, Face to Face
Next- so this is the first album without founding member and guitarist Clint Lowery who’s now been replaced with Snot guitarist Sonny Mayo and I’d say that he fits the band pretty well. Now I’ve heard and read that this album is a return to their roots and that might be true to a certain degree but it’s more of a return to the sound of Animosity rather than the self titled. I give it 8/10
Standouts: Hero, Pieces, Never
Alpha- if you wanted an album that shows them returning to their roots, this is the album I’d say to go with. Unlike the last effort, this one has more of a self titled vibe to it than say Animosity. The songs here seem to be faster and personally this is how I like my Sevendust. Sure the slower melodic songs are great but for me, this band is best when there is an even amount of melody and screaming vocals. It’s what makes them unique and cool. Definitely a step up from the previous album I give it 9.5/10
Chapter VII: Hope and Sorrow- if you take elements from say Next and say an album like Home, this is the album you’d get. For me this one seems to be their darkest and their moodiest but it’s also a fantastic album. On this album, I noticed that there aren’t as many harsher vocals and a lot of it is clean vocals which can make for a nice change of pace. This would also be the last album to feature Sonny Mayo on guitar but this album also has guest appearances from Mark Tremonti (Creed) , Myles Kennedy (Alter Bridge), and Chris Daughtry. Overall, this album is actually really good plus having the guest musicians in it is really cool. I give it 8/10
Standouts: Hope, Lifeless, Contradiction
Cold Day Memory- I mean if you really listen each of their albums, they all have a uniqueness to them and this one is no different yet it maintains that sound that makes Sevendust great. Original guitarist Clint Lowery is back and honestly it felt like he never left. I did however find that this album tended to drag on in parts and was kinda waiting for some songs to end. I give this album 7/10
Standouts: Splinter, Forever, Better Place
Black Out the Sun- ah now we seem to go back to the faster stuff. I’ve noticed that there is an album of either slower songs or an album of faster songs. I’d say that this one is right up there with albums like Seasons and Alpha. I mean from start to finish it’s Sevendust doing what they did best. The songs on here aren’t too fast and they’re not slowed down that they are boring. Overall, a great album I give it 9./10
Standouts: Faithless-1, Till Death, Mountain
Time Travelers and Bonfires- if you want acoustic Sevendust then this is the album for you. Musically, this is a great album and I’m not the biggest fan of all acoustic records but here it’s actually done right. The songs aren’t slow enough to where I get bored and the pacing on it is actually pretty good. Overall, if you are going to make an acoustic record, then I say that this is the way to do so. I give it 7/10
Standouts: Under it All, Come Down, Upbeat Sugar
Kill the Flaw- so this one obviously goes back to being a regular studio album which pretty much picks up,where Black Out left off. I would actually say it’s kind of a step,up from that album too. The songs on this one seem tighter and a bit more cohesive. Again this one feels to me like the songs could be shortened just a tad but as a whole, it’s not bad. I give it 7/10
Standouts: Thank You, Kill the Flaw, Death Dance
All I See Is War- I don’t know, I personally miss the sound of records like Alpha or even Seasons. Now I’m not saying that this is a bad record but again I just seemed to get bored listening to this one. Yes it feels like a Sevendust record but after the last one and the one before that, it seemed to be more of the same. I give this 7/10
Standouts: Unforgiven, Dirty, Cheers
One thing I will say is that Lajon Witherspoon has one of the more unique voices in rock and the combination of him and Morgan singing is badass. If you ever get the chance to see them live, do yourself and go. They are so good live and I would love to see them again sooner rather than later. They are also one of those bands where there isn’t a bad record in the bunch and most of them are very unique and have their own sound.
Album Rankings:
- Sevendust
- Seasons
- Alpha
- Next
- Home
- Black Out the Sun
- Chapter VII:Hope and Sorrow
- Animosity
- Time Travelers and Bonfires
- Cold Day Memory
- Kill The Flaw
- All I See is War
Sinister Reviews 